I know it has been a long time since I have placed a post. And this may not be the way to come back but I am CRANKY! After working 5 days of more than 18 hours a day on my feet - which hurt like they have never hurt before - I have to rant. It's a long story but I am working two jobs this week temporarily which cause me to be on my feet non-stop.
While I am in the middle of a job hunt, I have to pay my bills somehow. Let me start by saying: I have nothing against people who have a career in the restaurant service industry. In fact, I have much respect for people who do this for a living. It's incredibly hard work.
Since graduating from highschool, every time I needed quick cash or was laid off from a job, I have bartended or waitressed. I don't like it any more! It's exhausting, people sometimes can be very mean/demanding/rude! And the tips aren't all they are cracked up to be in this economy. People will spend the money on food and alchohol, but when the bill comes they scrimp on the tip. Years ago, I would walk out of a restaurant with $150 - 300 in tips depending on the location/type of restaurant I worked. Now, I am lucky if I walk out with $95.00 - while not to say that is bad, since it represents about $15.00-20.00 per hour with the pay I get, it's just not as much as I was used to .
However, this rant is about the people I work with who think that it is okay to be at a job and text constantly. While I am running around, serving people, making sure that all is well, these 18 - 25 year olds are standing in the back texting their friends. I was always taught that if you are at work - YOU WORK. In the restaurant industry theirs an old phrase: "if you have time to lean, you have time to clean". And I don't care how dead the restaurant is at that time, there is always something to be cleaned, filled, replenished - there is always work to be done.
There is an amazing book which I would suggest to anyone who is not retired, an heir, or a multi millionaire who no longer works - Its called WORK for a reason: your success is your own damn fault. Larry Winget, the author minces no words in saying that managers, owners and employees or anyone who gets paid for doing something don't actually work - they only work 10% of the time - the other 90% of the time are spent in activities which do not result in the service that your clients/customers/patients truly need. It tells it straight how to be more effective in the work place no matter what you do.
I would like to suggest this book to every person - but particularly those who think it's okay to text, talk or email incessently while you should be working. When I walk into the restaurant, my cell phone gets turned off. The people who may need to get in touch with me in an emergency know to call me on the restaurant telephone. And if it isn't an emergency, which SORRY PEOPLE - DISCUSSING YOUR SOCIAL LIFE ISN'T!, then leave a freaking message.
I am tired of doing your job as well as my own! Anybody else have this particular issue with their co-workers?
Phew - I feel better.
